Adjustable vane system for an axial flow rotor housing of an agricultural combine

ABSTRACT

A adjustable vane system for an axial-flow, rotary combine housing that incorporates at least one flat wall section as part of the otherwise cylindrical or oblong, curved housing cover, and adjustable vanes having flat bases that are angularly adjusted on the surface of the flat wall section. The housing includes fixed vanes on a curved portion of the housing cover that have a lead ends, in a direction of circumferential crop movement, substantially in registry with trailing ends of the adjustable vanes. The adjustable vanes include pivot connections near the trailing ends and swing connections near the lead ends of the adjustable vanes. All of the adjustable vanes are gang together and moved together. A mechanism is provided to swing the adjustable vanes from a position corresponding to the normal helical path of the fixed vanes to a bypass position wherein crop flow through the adjustable vanes will skip one or more passes between the fixed vanes on the next pass through the fixed vanes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to housings for axial-flow, rotary agriculturalcombines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agricultural combines are large machines that harvest, thresh, separateand clean an agricultural crop. The resulting clean grain is stored in agrain tank located on the combine. The clean grain can then betransported from the grain tank to a truck, grain cart or otherreceiving bin by an unloading auger.

Rotary combines have one or two large rotors for threshing andseparating the harvested crop material. In most rotary combines therotor or rotors are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the machine.These rotors are provided with an infeed section for receiving harvestedcrop material, a threshing section for threshing the harvested cropmaterial received from the infeed section and a separating section forfreeing grain trapped in the threshed crop material received from thethreshing section. Examples are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,445,563;5,688,170 and 7,070,498.

It is well known to provide a housing for receiving a threshing andseparating rotor with, secured to the inside of the housing, numerousguide vanes or bars which are arranged in a helical configuration.Conventionally, the guide vanes are fixed so that the rate of throughputof crop material can be varied only by changing the speed of rotation ofthe rotor.

U.S. Pat. No. RE31,257 describes an axial-flow rotary separator of thetype which may be used in a combine harvester and in which crop materialis propelled downstream in a generally helical path while beingprocessed within a separator housing by use of adjustable internal guidevanes within the separator housing.

Adjusting guide vanes of this type may be used to vary the rate of axialprogression of crop material through the separator so as to control theefficiency of threshing and separating. If, for example, excessivelosses of grain in discharged straw occur, the crop material feed ratecan be reduced by adjustment of the vanes such as, for example, varyingthe angle of inclination or the pitch of the vanes.

The present inventors have recognized one drawback to adjusting theangle of the vanes is that the vanes conform to a generally curved,cylindrical or oblong, separating section wall or cover. When the angleof the vanes is changed, the vanes no longer closely conform to thecurvature of the wall and gaps can occur. Gaps can become clogged withcrop material and make operation of the adjustable vanes difficult.

The present inventors have also recognized that angular movement of theadjustable vanes can change the generally cylindrical, curved shape ofthe separating section cover. This change can significantly change thecharacteristics of material flow for the section.

The present inventors have recognized that a need exists for providing aadjustable vane system for an axial-flow, rotary combine housing thatcould be easily and effectively adjusted and would not adversely affectthe operating characteristics of the combine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a adjustable vane system for anaxial-flow, rotary combine housing that incorporates at least one flatwall section as part of the otherwise cylindrical or oblong, curvedhousing cover, and adjustable vanes having flat bases that are angularlyadjusted on the surface of the flat wall section.

Preferably, the housing includes fixed vanes on a curved portion of thehousing cover that have a lead ends, in a direction of circumferentialcrop movement, substantially in registry with trailing ends of theadjustable vanes. The adjustable vanes include pivot connections nearthe trailing ends and swing connections near the lead ends of theadjustable vanes.

Preferably, all of the adjustable vanes are ganged together and movedtogether. Although, independently moving less than all of the vanes isalso encompassed by the invention. A mechanism is provided to swing theadjustable vanes from a position corresponding to the normal helicalpath of the fixed vanes to a bypass position wherein crop flow throughthe adjustable vanes is deflected to skip one or more passes between thefixed vanes on the next pass through the fixed vanes.

The vanes on the surface of the flat wall section are very easy toadjust, are easy to move, and seal effectively against the flat wallsection throughout a range of position adjustment of the adjustablevanes.

Preferably, the flat wall section is contiguous with a further flat wallsection, wherein the two flat wall sections approximate generally thecylindrical or oblong curved shape of the housing cover.

According to the invention, a small angular adjustment of the adjustablevanes eliminates one revolution of crop movement in the separatingsection of the rotor housing, i.e., advancing the adjusting vanesrearward provides a shortcut for the crop to skip one fixed helicalrevolution through the paths defined by the fixed vanes.

This adjustment reduces straw damage in the separator section by asignificant amount. As an example, in the case where there are six fixedvanes in the separating section, by adjusting the adjustable vanes, thecrop will only pass by five fixed vanes. Such adjustment could lowercrop damage 15%. Adjustable vanes allow the farmer or operator tofine-tune the harvesting process to balance grain loss with straw damageto meet individual requirements.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will bebecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the embodiments thereof, and from the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of an agricultural combine thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of a crop processing unit taken fromthe combine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cover for a crop processing unit ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cover shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the cover shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a further bottom perspective view of the cover shown in FIG.3;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken generally along line 9-9 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein indetail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific embodiments illustrated.

FIG. 1 shows an agricultural combine 10 comprising a supportingstructure 12 having ground engaging wheels 14 extending from thesupporting structure. The operation of the combine is controlled fromoperator's cab 15. A harvesting platform 16 is used for harvesting acrop and directing it to a feederhouse 18. The harvested crop isdirected by the feederhouse 18 to a beater 20. The beater directsthe-crop upwardly through an inlet transition section 22 to the axialcrop processing unit 24.

The crop processing unit 24 threshes and separates the harvested cropmaterial. Grain and chaff fall through grates on the bottom of the unit24 to the cleaning system 26. The cleaning system 26 removes the chaffand directs the clean grain to a clean grain elevator (not shown). Theclean grain elevator deposits the clean grain in grain tank 28. Theclean grain in the tank 28 can be unloaded into a grain cart or truck byunloading auger 30. Threshed and separated straw is discharged from theaxial crop processing unit 24 through outlet 32 to discharge beater 34.The discharge beater 34 in turn propels the straw out the rear of thecombine.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the axial crop processing unit 24 comprises arotor housing 36 and a rotor 37 located inside the housing 36. The frontpart of the rotor 37 and the rotor housing 36 define the infeed section38 of the crop processing unit. Longitudinally downstream from theinfeed section 38 are threshing section 39 and separating section 40.The rotor 37 comprises a drum 100 to which crop processing elements forthe infeed section, threshing section, and separating section areaffixed. The drum 100 comprises a rearward cylindrical portion 102 and aforwardly extending frusto-conical portion 104.

The rotor 37 shown in FIG. 2 is similar to the rotor explained in moredetail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,498, herein incorporated by reference.However, in contrast to the rotor shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,498, therotor 37 within the threshing section 39 includes a long tapered profilethroughout the threshing section 39 without the cylindrical portionwithin the threshing section as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,498.

The rotor 37 in the infeed section 38 is provided with helical infeedelements 42 located on the frusto-conical portion of the drum 100. Thehelical infeed elements 42 engage harvested crop material received fromthe beater 20 and inlet transition section 22.

In the threshing section 39 the rotor 37 is provided with a number ofthreshing elements 122 for threshing the harvested crop materialreceived from the infeed section 38.

The separating section 40 of the rotor includes outwardly projectingtines 126 similar to the tines disclosed in FIGS. 11 and 12 of U.S. Pat.No. 5,112,279, herein incorporated by reference.

The threshing section 39 of the rotor housing is provided with a concave146 and the separating section 40 is provided with a grate 148. Grainand chaff released from the crop mat falls through the concave 146 andthe grate 148. The concave and grate prevent the passage of cropmaterial larger than grain or chaff from entering the cleaning system26.

The rotor is axially arranged in the combine and defines a central rotoraxis RA. The rotor axis RA is a straight line passing through theinfeed, threshing and separating portions of the rotor.

As seen in FIG. 7, the infeed section 38 of the rotor housing 36 isprovided with a closed cover 162 and a closed bottom 164. The cover 162is provided with helical indexing vanes 165. The cover and bottom arebolted to axial rails 166 and 168. The forward portion of the closedbottom 164 is provided with an inlet transition section which is similarto one of those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,070,498 or 5,344,367,herein incorporated by reference.

The closed cover 162 of the infeed section 38 defines an infeed axis IA.The infeed axis IA is parallel to and substantially collinear with therotor axis RA defined by the rotor. As such, the infeed portion of therotor is substantially concentrically arranged in the infeed section 38of the rotor housing as defined by the cover 162.

As seen in FIG. 8, the threshing section 39 is provided with a closedthreshing cover 172 having helical vanes 174. The cover is bolted toaxial rails 166 and 168. The concave 146 is pivotally mounted to theframe of the combine below rail 168 at 175. An adjustment assembly 176for adjusting concave clearance is mounted to the frame of the combinebelow rail 166. The concave 146 is provided with a closed extension 178.

The threshing cover 172 defines a threshing axis TA that is parallel tothe rotor axis RA. The threshing axis is located above the rotor axisRA. In addition, the threshing axis is slightly offset to the side ofthe rotor axis in a downstream direction. As such, the cover of thethreshing section is eccentrically arranged relative to the threshingportion of the rotor.

The separating section 40 is provided with a separating cover 180 havinghelically arranged, fixed vanes 182. According to the preferredembodiment, the separating cover 180 has a complex cross-section thatcomprises a curved section 184 configured along an oblong curvature, anda contiguous first flat wall section 185 and a contiguous second flatwall section 186. The vanes 182 are curved and are fixedly mounted ontothe curved section 184.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, a plurality of adjustable vanes 188 arearranged on the first flat wall section 185. The vanes 188 each have anL-shaped cross section each having a flat base 189 a and an upstandingleg 189 b. The flat base 189 a conforms to a surface of the first flatwall section 185. The flat base 189 a of each adjustable vane 188 ispivotally attached to the first flat wall section 185 at pivot points188 a near trailing ends 188 b thereof by use of a fastener or pin. Theupstanding leg 189 b of each adjustable vane 188 is in registry with aleading end 182 a of one fixed vane 182. The leg 189 b of eachadjustable vane 188 has a curved edge 189 d to match the edge curvatureof the fixed vanes 182.

The adjustable vanes 188 are connected to an actuation mechanism 189 ata swing point 188 c on the adjustable vane 188 that is spaced from thepivot point 188 a. The actuation mechanism 189 comprises a bar 190located outside the first plate wall 185 and connected to one, more thanone, or preferably all of the vanes 188 at the swing points 188 c byrespective fasteners or pins 191. Each fastener or pin 191 penetratesthrough a respective curved slot 185 a that is provided through thefirst flat wall section 185. The slots 185 a allow for the swingingmotion of the adjustable vanes 188 about their pivot points 188 a. Eachfastener or pin 191 slides through its respective curved slot 185 a.

A force directed substantially along the longitudinal direction on thebar 190 causes a shifting of one, more than one, or preferably all ofthe adjustable vanes 188 about their respective pivot points 188 a. Thevanes can be shifted from a position corresponding to the helical pathof the fixed vanes 182 (FIG. 5) to a position wherein the adjustablevanes 188 are rearwardly shifted (FIGS. 4 and 6) wherein some of thehelical crop flow between the rotor and housing after passing betweenthe vanes 188 will be deflected to skip some of the passages definedbetween the fixed vanes 182 the next pass around the housing and take amore direct route through the annular passage between the rotor and thehousing, i.e., the crop material will make fewer helical rotationswithin the separating section of the rotor housing between theseparating section inlet and outlet.

A motion actuator 196, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is showndiagrammatically in FIG. 3. The motion actuator can be a manualactuator, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, an electric linearactuator or any other known motion actuator. A powered motion actuatorcan be controlled from the operator cabin 15.

Because the adjustable vanes 188 are mounted to a flat wall section 185,changing the angle of the vanes 188 does not affect their closeconformance to the surface of the flat wall section. Furthermore, theuse of two contiguous flat wall sections 185, 186 together approximatesthe overall curved shape of the housing separating section so that nosignificant increase in flow resistance is realized.

It is also possible for a sensing means which detects the throughput ofcrop material to be provided within the separator housing 180. Thesensing means may be directly or indirectly connected to a sender whichcontrols the actuation mechanism, so that, in the event of an overloadof material in the apparatus, the actuation mechanism can adjust thevanes 188 in order thereby to increase the rate of throughput of cropmaterial, at least temporarily.

The cover.36 is bolted to axial rails 166 and 168. Grate 148 is alsobolted to rails 166 and 168. Grate 148 is similar to the grate disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,891.

The separating cover 180 defines a separating axis SA that is parallelto the rotor axis RA. The separating axis is located above the rotoraxis RA. In addition, the separating axis is offset to the side of therotor axis in a downstream direction. As such, the cover of theseparating section is eccentrically arranged relative to the separatingportion of the rotor.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, afrusto-conical transition section 200 is provided between the threshingsection 39 and the separating section 40, overlapping each section.

The transition section 200 includes a cover 210 having a substantiallyfrusto-conical curvature. The cover 210 includes vanes 214 a, 214 b. Thevane 214 a has a relatively wide width similar to the vanes 174 of thethreshing section 39. The vane 214 a is substantially continuous withthe last vane 182 a of the separating section 40. The vane 214 b has arelatively wide width section 214 c similar to the width of the vane 174of the threshing section 39, and a relatively thinner width section 214dsimilar to the width of the vane 182 of the separating section 40.

Some rotors provided a further, reverse taper portion 220 of the rotordrum 100 at an outlet end of the processing unit 24 having an angle oftaper “J.” A deflecting plate 180 a in the separator cover 180 can bearranged over the reverse taper portion 220 to provide for a smooth,energy-efficient flow of crop material.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended orshould be inferred.

1. In an axial flow rotary separator for a combine, including a housingand a rotor rotatably mounted within the housing and carrying on itssurface a plurality of material-treating and controlling elements, thehousing being generally cylindrical in form and having a generallycylindrical wall with an upstream inlet end and a downstream outlet end,rotor and housing cooperating as the rotor rotates to process cropmaterial introduced to the housing at the upstream end whiletransferring it to the downstream end, an adjustable vane system forcontrolling the axial progress of the crop material through the housingcomprising: said generally cylindrical wall of said housing comprising acurved section and a continuous first flat wall section; a plurality ofcurved, helically arranged, fixed vanes conforming to an inside surfaceof the curved section and being raised generally radially inwards; aplurality of spaced apart elongated adjustable vanes, each adjustablevane having a flat base conforming to the first flat wall section andbeing raised generally radially inwards from the first flat wall sectionand being disposed generally helically so as to engage crop materialbeing propelled circumferentially by the rotor, the helical dispositionbeing such that relative movement between the material and theadjustable vane deflects the material axially towards the outlet end ofthe housing, each adjustable vane including with respect to cropmaterial circumferential movement, a leading end portion and a trailingend portion, one of the trailing end portion or the leading end portionbeing pivotally fixed at a pivot point to the first flat wall sectionand the respective other of the trailing end portion or the leading endportion being a swinging end movable in a swinging fashion as theadjustable vane pivots about the pivot point to set a vane angle of saidadjustable vane so as to vary the effectiveness of the adjustable vanein deflecting crop material axially.
 2. The adjustable vane system ofclaim 1, including an actuation mechanism for controllably pivoting saidvanes about said pivot points to set vane angles for the adjustablevanes.
 3. The adjustable vane system of claim 2, further comprising asecond flat wall section contiguous with said first flat wall section,said first and second flat wall sections approximating the curvature ofsaid generally cylindrical wall of said housing.
 4. The adjustable vanesystem of claim 3, wherein said second flat wall section is adjacent anaxial rail and said first flat wall section is between said second flatwall section and said curved section.
 5. The adjustable vane system ofclaim 4, wherein said actuation mechanism comprises a bar mountedoutside said flat wall section, and said flat wall section comprisescurved slots adjacent to a lead end of each of said adjustable vanes,and a plurality of fastening elements, each fastening element connectedto said bar and penetrating through each of said curved slots andconnected to a respective adjustable vane at a distance from said pivotpoint of said respective adjustable vane.
 6. The adjustable vane systemof claim 1, including an actuation mechanism comprising a bar mountedoutside said flat wall section, and said flat wall section comprisescurved slots adjacent to the swinging end of each of said adjustablevanes, and a plurality of fastening elements, each fastening elementconnected to said bar and penetrating through each of said curved slotsand connected to a respective adjustable vane at a distance from saidpivot point of said respective adjustable vane.
 7. The adjustable vanesystem of claim 1, further comprising a second flat wall sectioncontiguous with said first flat wall section, said first and second flatwall sections approximating the curvature of said generally cylindricalwall of said housing.
 8. The adjustable vane system of claim 7, whereinsaid second flat wall section is adjacent to an edge of said cover andsaid first flat wall section is between said second flat wall sectionand said curved section.
 9. The adjustable vane system of claim 7,wherein each of said plurality of curved, helically arranged, fixedvanes has a leading end that is helically aligned with an adjacenttrailing end of one of said adjustable vanes.
 10. The adjustable vanesystem of claim 6, wherein each of said plurality of curved, helicallyarranged, fixed vanes has a leading end that is helically aligned withan adjacent trailing end of one of said adjustable vanes.
 11. Theadjustable vane system of claim 5, wherein each of said plurality ofcurved, helically arranged, fixed vanes has a leading end that ishelically aligned with an adjacent trailing end of one of saidadjustable vanes.
 12. The adjustable vane system of claim 1, whereineach of said plurality of curved, helically arranged, fixed vanes has aleading end that is helically aligned with an adjacent trailing end ofone of said adjustable vanes.